NFC South Notes: Buccaneers, Falcons, Panthers, Saints

Buccaneers

• According to CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora, people around the league are monitoring HC Bruce Arians, who has already retired once due to health issues and might not be in it for the long-term if Tampa Bay is facing a serious rebuilding job in 2020. 
• Buccaneers promoted DE Kahzin Daniels to their active roster. (NFLTR)
• Buccaneers signed OLB Quinton Bell to their practice squad.

Falcons

• Per ESPN’s Vaughn McClure, Falcons HC Dan Quinn said QB Matt Ryan (ankle) would get a good amount of work at practice. 
• Falcons CB Desmond Trufant (toe) also participated in practice. (McClure)
• The Falcons worked out G Anthony Coyle, S Kenny Ladler, S C.J. Reavis and G Marquez Tucker on Tuesday.  (Aaron Wilson)
• Falcons RB Ito Smith has cleared the concussion protocol but remains out with a neck injury. (McClure)

Panthers

With the news that the Panthers were placing QB Cam Newton on injured reserve and likely ending his season, Panthers QB Kyle Allen received confirmation that he would be Carolina’s starter for the remainder of the season. Despite the potential awkwardness of the situation, it appears both Allen and Newton are on good terms. 

“I watched this man do everything in his power to come back from his injury,” Allen wrote on Instagram via Pro Football Talk. “I watched him lead and be a great teammate day in day out. ⁣Thank you for setting the example. We got you.”

• Bleacher Report’s Mike Freeman and others in the league believe if Allen continues to play well, the team will release Newton and build around Allen. 
• Newton politely declined an interview request by reporters in the locker room on Wednesday: “Y’all got all the answers anyway.” (David Newton)
• Panthers HC Ron Rivera said the decision to put Newton on injured reserve was “hashed out” between the team and Newton’s camp. (Joseph Person)
• Rivera expects CB James Bradberry, who picked up a groin injury Sunday, to return to practice Thursday. (Max Henson)
• Panthers DL Vernon Butler missed practice Wednesday with back tightness, leading the team to sign DE Wes Horton in case Butler can’t play Sunday against the Packers. (Jourdan Rodrigue)
• The Panthers will look at adding a third quarterback next week after injuries prevented them from doing so this week. (Person)

Saints

When the Saints first signed TE Jared Cook in free agency this year, it had New Orleans dreaming of the type of production they hadn’t seen from the position since Jimmy Graham was an All-Pro. Saints HC Sean Payton even said he’d dust off the old sections of the playbook that used to feature Graham for Cook.

However, it’s been a forgettable season so far for Cook, who has dealt with injuries and caught only 15 passes so far. He’s looking to hit the reset button as the Saints head into the back half of their schedule. 

“A lot of times, the second half of the season is looked at as a new opportunity, the slate’s clean, a chance to start over,” Cook said via NOLA.com’s Luke Johnson. “I’m just looking at it as a new opportunity and a way to start with a clean slate and pick up production from here.”